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SF288 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Passenger rail appropriation modifications

Related bill: HF1156

AI Generated Summary

The bill presented amends a previous law from 2023 to reallocate and specify funding for various transportation-related projects in Minnesota. Key components of the bill include:

  1. Airport Development and Assistance: Allocates funds for airport infrastructure projects, including system maintenance and safety enhancements. The bill provides $36 million from the general fund for 2024 to match federal aid and make state investments in airport infrastructure. An additional $18.59 million from the state airports fund is dedicated to maintaining critical airport safety systems and equipment.

  2. Aviation Support Services: Allocates funds to purchase utility aircraft for the Department of Transportation and support the Civil Air Patrol.

  3. Transit and Active Transportation: Grants $200,000 in 2024 and $50,000 in 2025 to the city of Rochester for implementing a demand-response transit service using electric vehicles. Additionally, $40 million is allocated for 2024 to match federal aid and state investments in transit and active transportation projects.

  4. Passenger Rail: Assigns $197.52 million for improvements related to the Minneapolis-Duluth Northern Lights Express intercity passenger rail project. This includes funding for various aspects like engineering, environmental analysis, construction, and the purchase of equipment and rolling stock. Also, funds are allocated for matching federal aid for expanded Amtrak service between Minneapolis-St. Paul and Chicago.

  5. Freight: Provides funding for improvements to the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, staff operating costs for weight and safety enforcement, and procurement of a freight network optimization tool.

The appropriations are time-limited, with most funds available until June 30, 2027, or 2028, and include provisions that if certain federal funds are not obtained by specified dates, the remaining funds will be redirected to other programs.

The bill outlines detailed financial allocations for specific projects and requirements for spending these funds, aiming to enhance Minnesota's transportation infrastructure, safety, and services.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
January 20, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
January 20, 2025SenateFloorActionIntroduction and first reading
January 20, 2025HouseFloorActionReferred toTransportation
January 20, 2025SenateFloorActionReferred toTransportation
January 22, 2025HouseFloorActionAuthors added
January 22, 2025SenateFloorActionAuthors added

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill pertains to the spending rules for the state airports fund under Minnesota Statutes, section 360.305.",
      "modified": [
        "Appropriations for airport development and assistance."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "360.305",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 4"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the availability period for appropriations from Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.28.",
      "modified": [
        "Increases the availability period of the state airports fund appropriations."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "16A.28",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 6"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment affects the Safe Routes to School program established under Minnesota Statutes, section 174.40.",
      "modified": [
        "Funding and appropriation period adjustments for Safe Routes to School program."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "174.40",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Funding for Minneapolis-Duluth Northern Lights Express and station improvements."
      ],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill concerns appropriations for passenger rail activities under Minnesota Statutes, sections 174.632 to 174.636.",
      "modified": [
        "Stipulations on station stops and affect on ridership."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "174.632 to 174.636",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This amendment relates to the corridors of commerce program under Minnesota Statutes, section 161.088.",
      "modified": [
        "Reallocation of funds if federal grants are not secured."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "161.088",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]

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